(February 21, 2014 -- Palm Beach, FL) The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show came to a close on Tuesday, February 18 after five days of impressive numbers and spectacular attendance, solidifying its status as the premier event of the season. The Palm Beach County Convention Center was transformed into one of the finest art, antique and jewelry exhibitions in the world, drawing enthusiastic crowds to view the offerings of more than 175 international exhibitors over Presidents’ Day Weekend.

The positive energy was reflected in the sales that were consistently generating on the show floor, with exhibitors reporting excellent quality of visitors and constant activity. Scott Diament, President & CEO of the Palm Beach Show Group insisted, “This show continues to exceed all expectations of excellence. We were once again thrilled, but not surprised by the heavy volume of sales and major interest in the show from across a wide spectrum of collectors.”

Now a hallmark of the Palm Beach social season, the show is known for bringing thousands of works of art and antiquities from domestic and international galleries, in addition to fabulous antique and estate jewels from many of the world’s elite jewelers. The Show kicked off with an Opening Night Preview Party on Friday, February 14, benefiting Hope For Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) and its mission to fund cutting-edge, scientific research into the origins, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of depression and its related mood and emotional disorders. HDRF Founder and Chairman, Audrey Gruss greeted guests with champagne and caviar at the HOPE Preview Event where guests received a “first look” of the show and visited the HOPE Designer Showcase, curated by renowned interior designer, Scott Snyder.

Gruss stated, “Hope For Depression Research Foundation was pleased to once again be featured as the charity partner of the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show and we look forward to joining forces again in 2015.”

The Hope Designer Showcase added a unique design highlight to the Show, bringing together five outstanding interior designers to create beautiful vignettes that reflect their unique, individual aesthetic, demonstrating how art and antiques can be integrated into today’s major decorating trends. Acclaimed designers for the 2014 Hope Designer Showcase included Jim Aman + John Meeks, Bruce Bierman, Campion Platt, Jennifer Post and Scott Snyder.  All of the Showcase designers are members of HDRF’s Arts Committee, a group of 40 leading talents from the visual and performing arts, who lend their time and talent to help bring awareness to depression as a major worldwide health issue.

“The goal of the Hope Designer Showcase was to inspire the audience with new ideas about how to utilize the art and antiques they see at the show to enhance their environment and their lives,” stated Scott Snyder. “I believe that we have inspired design and raised awareness for a great cause this evening.”

If strong sales and attendance were not enough to prove the Palm Beach Show was a success, the annual lecture series remained a favorite activity for guests and exhibitors alike. Seats at practically every lecture were filled to capacity with some lectures leaving standing room only. Popular lectures included “Baroque Period: Then & Now” with Paula Crevoshay, Crevoshay Jewelry, “The Vogue of French Wallpaper Decors in America: Trendsetters from Jefferson to Henry Dupont” with Carolle Thibaut-Pomerantz of the French Heritage Society, “A Grand Tour of Design: Collecting Across the Globe” with Brian J. McCarthy, Designer & Author, “Your Luxury Legacy: Understanding the Real Values of Your Jewelry and Watches” with Edward Faber of Aaron Faber Gallery, “Past & Present” Why Smart Collectors Buy Both 19th Century and Contemporary Realist Paintings” with Peter Trippi, Editor in Chief of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, and “War Stories From the Back Vaults of the Art World” with Gordon Lewis, Sr. Director and VP of the Fine Arts Conservancy.

“It has always been our goal to provide an environment that fosters the understanding and appreciation of antiques in addition to offering an enormous selection of high-quality items,” stated Diament. “The lecture series enhances the total show experience and was-well received by our guests again this year.”

The Palm Beach Show Group received an unequivocal positive response from attendees as well as exhibitors about the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show. Diament added, “It is truly gratifying to know that so many people appreciated the hard work and creative approach applied by each of our participating exhibitors. Our intent is to connect attendees to the exhibits on display in an atmosphere that exudes, elegance, education and entertainment.”

“This Show has set a benchmark of excellence for any event of this kind, stated Julia Markson, New York-based art collector.  “The dealers at this show represent the absolute best fine art, antique and jewelry found almost anywhere in the world – there are so many things to see and to buy.”

Prominent collectors from around the globe were in attendance at the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show throughout the weekend including: Sam and Libby Edelman, Audrey and Martin Gruss, Lori Greiner, Bill Koch, John Loring, and Steven and Christine Schwartzman among many others.

Participating exhibitors expressed a wide-range of admirable praise based on their experiences and interactions, from exemplary sales and promotion, to the lavish design and accommodations of the show:

“This show is truly at its best, and we are very pleased with its diversity,” stated James Butterworth, Antique American Wicker, who reported the sales of numerous pieces and sets of furniture throughout the weekend.

“The Palm Beach Show Group left no stones unturned as far as advertising and promotion goes,” stated Philip Chasen of Philip Chasen Antiques. “The crowds were continuous and they were here to buy.”

“This year’s show was absolutely phenomenal – a blockbuster,” stated Billy Cook of William Cook Antiques. “We saw educated clientele, talked to a tremendous amount of people and most importantly had very important sales.”

“The selection, quality and attendance gets better every year,” stated Michael Teller of TK Asian Antiquities. “The average buying was higher than last year and we met many new clients. The Palm Beach Show Group provides dealers with a little extra care that you don’t see at many other shows.”

Gregg Whittecar of Gallery of Amazing Things stated, “Phenomenal show…one of the best in recent years!”

“This show will go down as one of the best Palm Beach shows we have ever done,” stated Tom Veilleux of Tom Veilleux Gallery.

Russell Kwiat of Kwiat Jewelry said, “We really enjoyed this year’s Palm Beach Show – the attendance was quite good and we were constantly engaged by our clients and visitors to the booth.”

“As the roster of dealers continues to improve the Palm Beach Show is distancing itself from the competition,” stated Benjamin Macklowe of Macklowe Gallery. “We thoroughly enjoy our time at Palm Beach Show Group events.”

Over 175 of the highest level of exhibitors showcased their collections of a wide variety of works from American Art, French sculpture, Asian antiquities, Majolica, Tiffany glass, contemporary art, estate jewelry, European silver and much more. Sales were prevalent on Opening Night and continued at substantial pace throughout the weekend with many important sales occurring on the last day of the show.

“We are extremely proud of the outstanding roster of dealers that presented their collections at this year’s show,” stated Diament. “The Palm Beach Show once again exceeded all possible expectations! We are looking forward to the 2015 Show.”

The 2015 Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show is scheduled to take place on Presidents’ Day weekend, Febraury 13-17, 2015 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.